Colombia soccer federation head, son arrested after Copa America final

The head of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramón Jesurún, and his son have been arrested, following a brawl at Sunday’s Copa América final in Miami.

Mr Ramón, 71, and Ramón Jesurún and Ramón Jamil, 43, were held on charges of battery involving an official or an employee, said the Miami-Dade Police Department.

The charges relate to the brawl at the stadium after Colombia lost to Argentina 0-1 in extra time.

Neither Mr Ramón nor his son have publicly commented on the issue.

In a statement sent to the BBC, the Miami-Dade Police Department said the incident had happened just after the football match ended at the Hard Rock Stadium in the south-eastern US state.

Mr Ramón and his son were “walking towards the entrance of the field”, it said, but they became “irate and began shouting” at one of the security officers, who was instructed by his management to temporarily delay people from going further.

The police said the officer had “placed an open palm” on the chest of Mr Ramón’s son to guide him back.

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Mr Ramón then pushed the officer, they said, while his son grabbed the officer’s neck and pulled him to the ground, punching him and kicking him in the head.

Mr Ramón’s son also grabbed and pushed a female official who tried to assist, the police said.

It added that the two men had also punched a security manager.

Mr Ramón, his son and other family members are believed to have been trying to go on the pitch to take part in the awards ceremony.

The Colombian Football Federation made no immediate comment on the issue.

The start of the final of the Americas’ most prestigious football tournament was delayed by 80 minutes after ticketless fans forced their way into Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Several arrests were made after clashes with police and security personnel, while several supporters needed treatment from paramedics.

Colombia soccer federation head, son arrested after Copa America final

Violence mars Argentina’s Copa America victory celebrations

Thousands of people celebrated in Buenos Aires on Monday morning after Lionel Messi’s Argentina team was crowned champion of the Copa America with a 1-0 victory over Colombia in an electrifying final that was decided in extra time.

Cheering fans, many wrapped in Argentine flags, partied around the city’s iconic Obelisk in the early hours of the morning despite the low temperatures of the southern hemisphere winter.

The party ended abruptly after more than four hours when police deployed water trucks and officers to clear the streets, causing a rush of people.

Some hurled stones at the police but many quickly dispersed in the face of advancing riot police.

The authorities reported no arrests or injuries.

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“We are champions of America, let’s enjoy this precious moment that is unique for us since we have the chance to celebrate with the greatest who is …Messi and the farewell of ‘Fideo’ (Angel) Di Maria,” a chanting Pablo Inigo told AFP.

President Javier Milei congratulated the two-time America’s champions posting “Let’s go Argentina carajo..!!!!! We are champions again…!!!!” on social platform X.

The win was the Argentine’s third straight major tournament title following their 2021 Copa victory and triumph in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Several hundred people had gathered at the site to follow the game but it was not broadcast on the screens, and they had to settle for watching it on their phones.

Others crowded the surrounding bars and cafes huddling around TV sets.

Celebrations were also marred by the death of a fan who, before the match, started climbed a structure in front of the Obelisk to wave a flag but lost his balance and fell six meters.

Firefighters removed the body of the 29-year-old victim.

Violence mars Argentina’s Copa America victory celebrations

AFP

JUST IN: Argentina wins Copa America title despite Lionel Messi’s injury

Argentina has won the Copa America trophy, defeating Colombia in the final.

Lautaro Martinez scored an extra-time winner to win a record 16th Copa America title for Argentina at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

The ended in 1-0

A poor game which had been marred by security and crowd issues, forcing a 82-minute delay, was decided by a quality finish from Martinez — his fifth goal of the tournament.

There were tears before the celebrations though with Argentina captain Lionel Messi going off injured in the 66th minute watching the rest of the game distraught on the bench, while there was an emotional farewell for Angel Di Maria in his final game for the national team.

For Colombia, whose only title came in the 2001 Copa America, it was a disappointing night when little seemed to work for Nestor Lorenzo’s team.

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The win was the third straight major tournament title for Argentine following their 2021 Copa victory and their triumph in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

There was concern for Messi in the 36th minute when he dribbled to the byline but was halted by a sliding challenge from Santiago Arias which was ruled fair left the Argentine captain needing treatment.

Messi, who now plays his club football in Miami, then curled a free-kick in from the left flank but Nicolas Tagliafico’s header was just off target.

It had been a disappointing first half and it didn’t improve much after the break, when the fans had at least received some entertainment from Colombian singer Shakira.

Then came a major blow for Argentine hopes when Messi went down, without contact, as he ran in midfield, and clearly in pain he went off to be replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez in the 66th minute.

It was too much for Messi, in what may have been his last major tournament, as he sat in tears on the bench, unable to hold back his emotions.

JUST IN: Argentina wins Copa America title despite Lionel Messi’s injury